These tables are designed to aid breeders in selecting the best time to weigh their LambPlus lambs. As part of the LambPlus programme breeders are asked to record at least 3 weights for their lambs after lambing at 3 defined points in time as outlined below (Breeders are however free to record as many weights as they wish). Each of these weights will then work towards improving the flocks accuracy percentage (Acc %) and therefore making the evaluations reflect the performance of the animals on the ground more accurately.

Note: All lambs DO NOT need to be weighed when they are exactly 40, 100 or 150 days of age. If lambs are weighed between the parameters outlined below in table 1, the Sheep Ireland database will be able to predict the weight of the animal at age.

Table: 1

Weighing

Possible Age Range

40 Day Weight

Between 20 - 65 days of age

Weaning weight (100 Day)

Between 66 - 120 days of age

Scanning Weight (150 Day)

Between 121 - 180 days of age

Table 2 can be used as a guideline as to when the best time to weigh your lambs. Simply select the date your first lamb was born then take note of the three dates by which this lamb should have the three required weights recorded at by the latest. This table should be used in combination with table one. For flocks with a spread out lambing pattern (ie over two months) then they will need to record their lambs 40 day weights on two different days to ensure the lambs are the correct age at weighing time.

Table: 2

Important Weight dates

This table can be referenced by LambPlus breeders to work out the best time to weigh their lambs. The first column displays the lambing date of the first lamb. The dates displayed under each of the weight categories is the last date possible for this lamb to be weighed and still fit into this category.

Lambing Date

40 Day Weight
20 - 65 days

Weaning Weight
66 - 120 days

Scanning Weight
121 - 180 days

25th December

28th February

23rd April

22nd June

1st January

6th March

30th April

29th June

8th January

13th March

7th May

6th July

15th January

20th March

14th May

13th July

22nd January

27th March

21st May

20th July

29th January

3rd April

28th May

27th July

5th February

10th April

4th June

3rd August

12th February

17th April

11th June

10th August

19th February

24th April

18th June

17th August

26th February

1st May

25th June

24th August

4th March

8th May

2nd July

31st August

11th March

15th May

9th July

7th September

18th March

22nd May

16th July

14th September

25th March

29th May

23rd July

21st September

1st April

5th June

30th July

28th September

8th April

12th June

6th August

5th October

15th April

19th June

13th August

12th October

22nd April

26th June

20th August

19th October

29th April

3rd July

27th August

26th October

All LambPlus breeders have received pocket Lambing Notebooks. On page 54 you will see there is a section to record lamb weights as they are recorded. All breeders can then record these weights on-line and only breeders that selected paper recording can send their weights to Sheep Ireland to have the weights entered by Sheep Ireland staff. You can print of more Weight Recording Sheets here.